Morris Minor Owners Club

Re: Chassis leg repair
Postby rreems » Wed Mar 08, 2017 6:49 pm

Is it possible to replace a chassis leg with the engine in the car and the car placed on Axle stands? Is there room enough to to get under the car without using a car lift?
Many thanks

Richard

I'd say no, the engine is supported on the mounts which are taking the weight through the legs. It would also be a hell of a job to cut out, clean up and weld the new leg in, with the cramped position you would be in.

Agree with Les. I did mine with the car on its side, and that was quite difficult enough. And I've set things on fire enough times to know not to work somewhere where I can't get out in a hurry....

Noticed you are looking for advice on welders elsewhere. Without wanting to discourage you in any way, if that means you are just starting out I think you need to look for something a bit easier than a chassis leg to develop your skills on.

Mark

Thanks for the advice

Regards

Richard

Well, yes you can if it suits your circumstances. You'd need to support the engine on a jack or stand and remove that engine mount out of the way. Ideally you'll need to get the car as high as possible as you'll be rolling around underneath chopping away at the old chassis leg with a grinder. As the engine is still there, I'd cut away the underside and the outside of the leg, then you can get to the inside face from the inside. You can drill and plugweld to the tie plate from in the engine bay. Not a particularly pleasant or easy job, but if its just the leg that needs replacing to keep the car on the road rather than a strip down and rebuild then its entirely possible to set about it that way.
A lot easier with engine out and car on its side and the engine out...

I think the assumption was there would be no access to a hydraulic ramp! Getting the car high enough any other way could be considered unstable.

Well the guy in the unit next door to me did it last year with the car upon normal axle stands outside his door. It didn't appeal particularly but by the end of day 2 he was driving it home again...

Good luck to him. God knows where he put the 4th axle stand without the leg there!

It was only the front half leg not the full length so I think he had the axle stand somewhere round the gearbox crossmember area. Back wheels were on the ground.
I didn't get involved and left 'em to it...